John Derstine Souder (1865-1942) was raised on a Mennonite farm near Telford in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.  He was a storekeeper, postmaster, and poultry dealer before retiring. … continue reading John Derstine Souder’s Fraktur in the Henry Stauffer Borneman Pennsylvania German Collection

By written by Del-Louise M.    December 9, 2013   

• Art
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection
• History
• Manuscripts

“I must do what is right for me,” he muttered under his breath while gathering up his tools and shuttering the shop window.  Jacob Eichholtz was living a double life, and it soon… continue reading I Must Do What Is Right For Me ~ The Jacob Eichholtz Book of Sketches and Painterly Advice

By written by Del-Louise M.    November 14, 2013    1

• Art
• Artists Books
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection
• History

I was only a little girl when my Grammy had me kneel before her in their little church.  She anointed my  forehead with oil, and laid her hands on me.  I was sick, but I can’t… continue reading MAGICAL CHARMS ~ MEDICAL CURES

By written by Del-Louise M.    October 15, 2013    3

• Healthcare
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection
• Manuscripts

If you have a moment, I’d like to introduce you to Carl Friederich Egelmann, or Charles Frederick Egelmann as he came to be known in America.  He was born in Neuenkirchen, Germany on… continue reading The Skies Proclaim the Work of His Hands ~ Carl Friederich Egelmann (1782-1860)

By written by Del-Louise M.    July 17, 2013    8

• Careers
• Digital Collections
• Genealogy
• Languages
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

Sometimes it really is the little things in life that matter.  This I learned recently while trying to identify the record keeper of Borneman Ms 152 from the Henry Stauffer Borneman… continue reading It’s the Little Things in Life That Matter ~ The Jacob Anthony Grist Mill Ledger, 1842-1868

By written by Del-Louise M.    June 27, 2013   

• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

The Borneman Pennsylvania German Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia is very fortunate to have a very small manuscript, Borneman Ms. 99, about 4" x 3 "  in size, entitled… continue reading What to Say While Fastening the Garland to the Gable

By written by Del-Louise M.    April 8, 2013   

• Digital Collections
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

  Many of the traditions we associate with Easter can be traced back to celebrations that honored Ostara, or Eastre (Old English), an ancient pagan Germanic goddess of spring. … continue reading The Easter Bunny is Pennsylvania Dutch

By written by Del-Louise M.    March 27, 2013    6

• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

  Had Daniel Schumacher (1729-1787) been an ordinary man, we probably would never have heard of him.  His bad habits of drinking, swearing, lying, and dancing, amongst others, were not… continue reading Rejoice My Heart for a New Year Begins

By written by Del-Louise M.    December 22, 2012    8

• Digital Collections
• Genealogy
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

Three Moravian Manuscripts in the Pennsylvania German Collection at FLP The Pennsylvania German Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia contains a  wealth of valuable research… continue reading If I’m Happy, Then I Must Sing, Part One

By written by Del-Louise M.    October 26, 2012    4

• Music
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

Theodor Schulz (1770-1850) Theodor Schulz (1770-1850) was born December 17, 1770 in Gerdauen, East Prussia, one of the towns founded by the Teutonic Knights in the Middle Ages, and rich in history… continue reading If I’m Happy, Then I Must Sing, Part Two

By written by Del-Louise M.    October 26, 2012   

• Music
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

Charlotte Sabine Schropp (1787-1833) Charlotte Sabine Schropp (1787-1833) was the second daughter of Johannes Schropp (1750-1805), and Maria Elisabeth (1753-1801) née Tannenberg, and was… continue reading If I’m Happy, Then I Must Sing, Part Three

By written by Del-Louise M.    October 26, 2012   

• Music
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

Sarah Horsfield (1785-1867) Sarah Horsfield (1785-1867), was the oldest daughter of Joseph Horsfield (1750-1834) and Elizabeth (1754-1836) née Benezet, and was born December 17, 1785. … continue reading If I’m Happy, Then I Must Sing, Part Four

By written by Del-Louise M.    October 26, 2012    2

• Music
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

  In their search for freedom of conscience and worship, as well as for the promise of economic self-sufficiency and inexpensive land, many German-speaking Christian sectarian groups… continue reading Gertrude Rapp, Expert in Silk and Song

By written by Del-Louise M.    July 31, 2012    2

• Music
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

My name is Michael Hillegas, and if you know me, it’s most likely because I served as the first Treasurer of the United States from 1777-1789. I have always, as you may have surmised, had… continue reading A Collection of Musick Adapted for the Harpsichord ex Libris Michael Hillegas

By written by Del-Louise M.    July 9, 2012   

• Music
• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

Beware!  Lions, tigers and bears have been found in the Rare Book Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia.  Before making this discovery several weeks ago I wouldn’t have… continue reading Beware! Lions, Tigers and Bears in the Rare Book Department

By written by Del-Louise M.    June 5, 2012    1

• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection

If I were an 18 th century manuscript, and had a broken spine, and detached boards, not to mention all kinds of other injuries to my pages, I think I would contact the Conservation Center for Art… continue reading If I Were an 18th Century Manuscript

By written by Del-Louise M.    April 25, 2012   

• Rare Book Department
• Pennsylvania German Collection